A Hip Wine Bar: Drawing its name from the Valley’s area code, wine bar Eight-18 has attracted mid-level celebs as well as a young hipster crowd. The venue offers a wine list with more than 150 bottles—many of which are displayed along an entire wall in the front-room bar and lounge—as well as a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and tapas. A rear dining area with an adjacent patio, where a DJ spins on weekends, holds 50 for receptions. The whole venue fits double that capacity. For events, Eight-18 staff can whip up passed hors d’oeuvres or buffets, and owner Brad Roen, who also owns Wine 661 in Valencia, can discuss wine pairing with guests for more formal dinners.
A Space With History: Bank Heist has taken over the historic 1920s Security and Pacific Bank building designed by Parkinson & Sons, the firm behind such local 20th-century architectural gems as City Hall and Union Station. Owner Jason Feld, wanting to preserve as much of the structure as possible, made sure that a $2 million renovation included a restoration of the facade, terrazzo floors, and mahogany walls. Offering more than 12,000 square feet, the venue includes a restaurant that seats 75, two full bars (the downstairs bar is adjacent to a dance floor and DJ booth, while the one upstairs sits next to a stage), and a V.I.P. area with a bar that can double as a greenroom.A Retro-Style Lounge: Jeremy Thomas, co-owner of Hollywood’s the Room, opened Skinny’s, a ’50s-lounge-inspired bar, in May. Swathed in retro-funky orange hues, the North Hollywood bar’s easily movable ottomans and benches make for a flexible space, complete with a curtained-off V.I.P. room that can also serve as a stage for live performances. A DJ and jukebox offer an eclectic mix of music for guests with a mind to bust a move on a modest-size dance floor. The space holds 200 (the private room holds 50 for seated events) and is open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., meaning it’s available for daytime events.
A Splashy Russian Restaurant: With two massive onion domes flanking its exterior space, Romanov brings hard-to-miss Slavic style to the streets of Studio City. Owner Mikayel Israyelyan tapped designers Margaret O’Brien and Paul Collett—the team behind his West Hollywood restaurant and lounge Republic—to help create the space, which is centered around a 200-person dining room with such lavish decor details as blown-glass lamps modeled after Fabergé eggs and a 12-foot-tall gold-plated chandelier. A hand-carved fireplace dominates the library dining room, which provides a cozy setting for 10, while a patio and outdoor courtyard provide open-air entertainment options. A full-service kitchen can accommodate catering needs, too. And if you left any room for dessert, take an appreciative group to the nearby Big Sugar Bakeshop for after-dinner treats.
A Space With History: Bank Heist has taken over the historic 1920s Security and Pacific Bank building designed by Parkinson & Sons, the firm behind such local 20th-century architectural gems as City Hall and Union Station. Owner Jason Feld, wanting to preserve as much of the structure as possible, made sure that a $2 million renovation included a restoration of the facade, terrazzo floors, and mahogany walls. Offering more than 12,000 square feet, the venue includes a restaurant that seats 75, two full bars (the downstairs bar is adjacent to a dance floor and DJ booth, while the one upstairs sits next to a stage), and a V.I.P. area with a bar that can double as a greenroom.A Retro-Style Lounge: Jeremy Thomas, co-owner of Hollywood’s the Room, opened Skinny’s, a ’50s-lounge-inspired bar, in May. Swathed in retro-funky orange hues, the North Hollywood bar’s easily movable ottomans and benches make for a flexible space, complete with a curtained-off V.I.P. room that can also serve as a stage for live performances. A DJ and jukebox offer an eclectic mix of music for guests with a mind to bust a move on a modest-size dance floor. The space holds 200 (the private room holds 50 for seated events) and is open from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., meaning it’s available for daytime events.
A Splashy Russian Restaurant: With two massive onion domes flanking its exterior space, Romanov brings hard-to-miss Slavic style to the streets of Studio City. Owner Mikayel Israyelyan tapped designers Margaret O’Brien and Paul Collett—the team behind his West Hollywood restaurant and lounge Republic—to help create the space, which is centered around a 200-person dining room with such lavish decor details as blown-glass lamps modeled after Fabergé eggs and a 12-foot-tall gold-plated chandelier. A hand-carved fireplace dominates the library dining room, which provides a cozy setting for 10, while a patio and outdoor courtyard provide open-air entertainment options. A full-service kitchen can accommodate catering needs, too. And if you left any room for dessert, take an appreciative group to the nearby Big Sugar Bakeshop for after-dinner treats.
Romanov Restaurant & Lounge.
Photo: Courtesy of Romanov Restaurant & Lounge
Romanov Restaurant & Lounge
Photo: Courtesy of Romanov Restaurant & Lounge
Eight-18
Photo: David Alley
Bank Heist
Photo: Courtesy of Greenlight Designs
Skinny's
Photo: Michael Beaudry
